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London 2012: Duran Duran to play Olympics gig
Duran Duran will represent musical talent from England at the concert
Duran Duran are to play a concert in London's Hyde Park to mark the start of the Olympic Games.
The gig will feature headline acts from all four nations of the UK, with Duran Duran representing England and Snow Patrol appearing for Northern Ireland.
Stereophonics will represent Wales and Paolo Nutini will play for Scotland.
The concert on 27 July will coincide with the Olympics opening ceremony, which will be broadcast on big screens in the park between performances.
"Performing to so many people on the most exciting day in sport for Great Britain will be one of the highlights of the last decade for us," said Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon.
"We have been invited to represent England for this Team GB show, and we couldn't be more proud. Seeing the torch being lit on the big screens before hitting the stage in this iconic location will be a great experience… We simply can't wait."
Snow Patrol's Jonny Quinn said: "Living in London and everything, with all the excitement, it's certainly an honour to be part of it. I think it will be very special."
Tickets for the opening ceremony celebration concert show go on sale on 4 May at 09:00BST.
At the same time, Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets, east London will broadcast the opening ceremony free to the public on two giant screens.
During the games, highlights of the Olympics will also be shown at both parks.
Another concert marking the end of the Olympics will be held in Hyde Park on 12 August, headlined by Blur.
The "Best of British" lineup also features New Order and The Specials.
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Comment number 243.
Nicole1st May 2012 - 12:39
Got to love the irony of people commenting about Duran Duran not being relevant (when they are currently on a very successful world tour for a critically acclaimed album released in 2011) and then suggesting Pink Floyd or the Rolling Stones...
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Comment number 234.
RosscoPK1st May 2012 - 12:36
I can imagine the boardroom meeting:
[Flips coin - Heads, Paul McCartney, Tails Duran Duran]
"Duran Duran it is! Yeah, they've been in the charts, I've got a couple of their albums and they're on that BT advert. How cool are these Olympics gonna be?"
"Can't we go with someone else? The Killers? Elbow? Kaiser Chiefs? Kings Of Leon?"
"I've never heard of any of those - are they bands?"
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Comment number 220.
thrill_vermilion1st May 2012 - 12:22
Duran Duran remain one of the most popular, enduring and successful bands in the world. You can't argue with that.
Just because YOU don't like them doesn't negate the fact that it's a sensible choice. The arrogance of some people...!
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Comment number 219.
mediapunk1st May 2012 - 12:19
The Rolling Stones played at the Superbowl, but they don't play at the Olympics? And they are a band from London too.
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Comment number 210.
southlandonsteve1st May 2012 - 12:00
I can't understand why no one asked Adele or a band like coldplay to be honest.
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Comments 5 of 17